rclanger maxmanAre the two switches you want thrown in a crossover? Yes, the two switches are a cross over. My locomotives are DCC but I use an old DC power pack to power accessories.
maxmanAre the two switches you want thrown in a crossover?
Yes, the two switches are a cross over. My locomotives are DCC but I use an old DC power pack to power accessories.
Wire the two Tortoises to each other and use a DPDT switch to control the switch movements.
I do the same as you, power the rails with DCC, but run my accessories including Tortoises from a DC power pack.
Rich
Alton Junction
rclangerYes, the two switches are a cross over.
Just wire them in parallel and they can be operated from a single DPDT Toggle. I have several on the SLOW done that way.
Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO
We'll get there sooner or later!
Look into the Digitrax DS64's. They have 4 available inputs for the switches. I have 28 switches and 4 DS64s.
I also have 2 crossovers and using one input on the DS64 works great.
Michael
CEO- Mile-HI-RailroadPrototype: D&RGW Moffat Line 1989
Bob
Photobucket Albums:NPBL - 2008 The BeginningNPBL - 2009 Phase INPBL - 2010 Downtown
rclanger I would like to have two machines linked so the correct path is set when the switch is thrown.
I would like to have two machines linked so the correct path is set when the switch is thrown.
When you indicate that you need two Tortoises linked, are you trying to power a crossover, not just a simple turnout?
maxman Here is a link to the Tortoise application notes courtesy of Tonys Trains Exchange: http://www.tonystrains.com/download/man-tortoise.pdf The notes say to use a 1/4 inch hole. A 1/2 inch diameter hole works better for me. The wire that comes with the Tortoise is 0.025 inch diameter. Many have found this diameter inadequate and use a larger size. I think I use 0.032 diameter. Are the two switches you want thrown in a crossover? And are you using DCC? If the answers to both of these is yes, then you'd need an accessory decoder to throw the motors. I use the NCE Switch-It. The Switch-it has two outputs. Each output will handle two Tortoise machines. So if you have two crossovers, then one Switch-It will handle all four machines. Other accessory decoders are available from other vendors. If you are using DC, then the DC folks on this forum can give you better advice. But before you get a bunch of non-relevant answers it would be helpful for you to let everyone know if your control system is DC or DCC, what you actually mean by setting the correct path, and if you would intend to use control panels with push buttons/toggles, dispense with those and use the DCC handset (if DCC), or a combination. Regards
Here is a link to the Tortoise application notes courtesy of Tonys Trains Exchange: http://www.tonystrains.com/download/man-tortoise.pdf
The notes say to use a 1/4 inch hole. A 1/2 inch diameter hole works better for me.
The wire that comes with the Tortoise is 0.025 inch diameter. Many have found this diameter inadequate and use a larger size. I think I use 0.032 diameter.
Are the two switches you want thrown in a crossover? And are you using DCC? If the answers to both of these is yes, then you'd need an accessory decoder to throw the motors. I use the NCE Switch-It. The Switch-it has two outputs. Each output will handle two Tortoise machines. So if you have two crossovers, then one Switch-It will handle all four machines.
Other accessory decoders are available from other vendors.
If you are using DC, then the DC folks on this forum can give you better advice. But before you get a bunch of non-relevant answers it would be helpful for you to let everyone know if your control system is DC or DCC, what you actually mean by setting the correct path, and if you would intend to use control panels with push buttons/toggles, dispense with those and use the DCC handset (if DCC), or a combination.
Regards
I agree with maxman that a 1/2" hole is better. In fact, I drill a 5/8" hole. As to the wire, I use a 0.040 diameter. You don't necessarily need an accessory decoder. I use DPDT switches on a control panel, a lot cheaper and easier to use.
I need about 20 switch machines. I have read on this forum and others that these are very popular. I could use some information.
What do I need in addition to the switch machine? The picture is of the switch machine and nothing else.
What size hole needs to be drilled?
I other words what do I need besides the switch machine to complete the installation?
Thanks